Elevating mechanism



March 5, 1929. p, LME 1,704,666

ELEVATING MECHANI SM Filed June 17, 19 2 SheetQs-Sheet 3 T err MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMON'T, NEW HAI'IIPSHIRE ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Fatented Mar. 5, 1929.

ELEVATING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 17, 1921. Serial No. 478,424.

This invention relates to elevating mechanism and particularly, although not exclusively, to raising and lowering mechanism for kerf cutting mining machines, whereby such a machine is enabled to cut kerfs in a mine face at any desired elevation or inclination to the horizontal, or whereby the unloading of the machinefrom its truck upon an elevated bench or the like, and the subsequent reloading thereof, is facilitated.

The invention has for an object to provide improved n'ianually operated means whereby a single operator can, with relatively slight exertion, readily raise or lower a relatively heavy machine into any desired vertical position. and as readily dispose the same in any desired inclination to the horizontal, said mechanism being of such a character as to permit a variable but equally effective operation thereof in accordance with the strength of the operator or the conditions of use. Another object of the invention is to provide a mining apparatus comprising a mining machine and a truck therefor having means for raising and lowering said machine with re spect to the body of the truck, together with means for operatively connecting the machine with the'wheels of the truck so as to propel the latter, said last named means being of such a character as not to interfere with the operation of raising and lowering the machine, and being so arranged as to remain continuously operative in any vertical position of said machine.

The foregoingand other objects of the invention, together with means whereby the same may be carried into effect, will best be understood from thefollowing description of certain forms and embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which, I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck mountcd mining machine embodying the invention, the elevating mechanism being shown in longitudinal vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same ma-' chine on a reduced scale, illustrating the oper] ation of raising the machine.

Fig. 3 is aside elevation illustrating another form and application of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectionof the elevating mechanism, taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a horizontalJse'ction taken sub- 18, it is preferably normally connected with r the lower support 15 by one or more telescopically ad ustable rods or jacks 19.

Mounted on the support or frame 18 is a mining machine which, inthe form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is of the well-known unitary room and pillar type comprising a casing 20 provided at its forward endwith a rigid, forwardly extending cutter bar 21 carrying the usual cutter chain 22, and atthe rear end with a feed driving member, herein a sprocket 23 adapted to cooperate with the usual flexible feeding memher or chain, both the cutterchain and the feeding member being driven in theusual manner and through suitable connections of well known construction and arrangement from a motor (not shown) in the casing 20. As is common in machines of this type, a turntable 26 is interposed between the support or frame 18 and the mining machine which is secured in place upon said support and turntable by any suitable means whereby the machine may out while on the turntable or be bodily removable therefrom for cutting on its own bottom, this means being well known in the art and not requiring description herein.-

The mining machine is operatively connected with the axle 3 1 of one pair of truck wheels 16 by means whereby the power of the mining machine motor isutilized to propel the truck. As in a wellknown construction, a gear 27, carried by the machine and actuated through suitable connections (not shown) from the motor, meshes, in the transport position of the machine, with a gear 27 carried by the frame or support 18 and operatively connected in the usual manner with a sprocket 28 carried by said frame or support. In ac cordance with one feature of thepresent in vention, the sprocket or transmission element 28 is operatively connected with a sprocket or transmission element 29 on the axle 31 bypower transmitting devices of such a characv ter as to permit both the vertical position of the support 18 with respect to the truck body,

and the inclination thereof with respect to the horizontal to, be varied without disturbing 32 and coaxially disposed with respect there-- to, said sprocket 35 being connected by a chain 36 with the sprocket 29.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the elevating mechanism for operatively connecting the upper support or frame 18 with the lower support or truck body 15 comprises a plurality of spaced fluid pressure devices each comprising a cylinder and a piston therein, one said elements being connected with and supported by the truck body 15 and the other of said elements being connected with and supporting the frame 18. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said elevating mechanism comprises vertically disposed, longitudinally spaced hydraulic cylinders 37 and 38 carried by the truck body 15 and disposed respectively at opposite sides of the vertical line through the center of gravity of the machine supported on the frame 18 and at substantiallyequal' distances from said line but relatively close thereto. The cylinders 37 and 38 are provided with pistons 39 and 40, respectively, said pistons having piston rods 41 which are connected by transverse pivots 42 and 12 with one or more brackets orplates 43 carried by the frame 18. The pivots 42 and 42 preferably engage slots 14 in the brackets or plates 4-8, said slots being slightly elongated in a direction longitudinal to the machine in order to permit the free operation of a mechanism as hereinafter dcscribed: The cylinders 37 and 38 are preferably formed as integral parts of a casting to which also includes a reservoir 46'adapted to contain oil or other liquid and provided with a filling opening normally closed by a plug or cap d7. The reservoir 16 communicates at its bottom, through suitably arranged passages, wlth the "lower ends of both cylincers 37 and 38. In

the construction shown in Fig. 1, said passages are provided by pipes 48 and 49 having branches communicating with said reservoir and cylinders respectively. The pipe d8, which provides a fluid inlet passage, communicates between its ends, with the reservoir 46; and at its ends with ports 50 formed in the lower ends of the cylinders and controlled by check valves 51 which ,open inwardly and toward said cylinders. The pipe 49 also communicates at its ends with the lower ends of said cylinders and at an intermediate point with the reservoir 46, commuf nication with said reservoir being controlled by a manually operated valve 52. It will herein be noted that the valve 52 is of such construction that fluid cannot pass from one cylinder to the other through pipe 19.

The mining machine is shown in Fig. 1 as in its lowermost position, and in order to elevate the same the valve 52 is closed, and'the upper support or frame 18, together with the machine carried thereby, is rocked or oscillated in longitudinal verticalplane by grasping the forward end of the cutter bar 21 and tilting or pumping the same alternately upwardly and downwardly. Such tilting or rocking of the machine is facilitated by the fact that, by reason of the location of the devices connecting the upper and lower supports in a position closely adjacent the center of gravity of the machine, said machine wi l be approximately balanced, so that very little effort is required in order to oscillate it. As the forward end of the cutter bar 21 is lifted, as shown in Fig. 2, the rear piston 39 being heldagainst downward movement by the closure of the corresponding check valve 51, the machine will rock about "the rear pivot 42 as a center, thereby lifting the forward piston 40 and permitting liquid from the reservoir 16 to'fiow through the pipe 48 and the corresponding check valve 51 into the lower 'end of the cylinder 38. vv hen the forward end of the cutter bar 21 is depressed, the piston 10 will be held in the position into'which it has been previously moved, by the closure of its check Valve 51 and the trapping of the liquid in the lower end of the cylinder 38, so that during this operation the machine will be rocked about the axis of the forward pivot 12, and the piston 39 will be raised, drawing liquid into the lower end of the cylinder 37. It will thus be seen that by successive rocking movements of the machine by means of the cutter bar 21', the pistons 39 and 10 will be alter-I nateiy and successively stepped upwardly, resulting in an elevation of the upper support .18 and the machine carried thereby. It will ervoir.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 to 6, theelevating mechanism constituting the invent-ion is shown as interposed bet-ween a mounted longwall mining machine and its usual skid 53, said skid, which constitutes a lower support, being connected by said elevating mechanism with an upper support or -transversely of the machine.

woiseee v platform 54 carrying a turntable '55 upon which said machine is mounted. The machine as shown is of the well-known longwall type and comprises a casing 56 having at its rear end the usual. feed chain sprockets 57 and at its forward end a cutter bar 58 having a cutter chain 59, said cutter bar being angularly adjustable on the casing 56 into the longitudinal position shown or into posi tions transverse to said casing at either side thereof.

The elevating mechanism comprises a casting 60 supported by the skid 53 beneath the center of gravity of the machine and having integral, upright cylinder portions 61 and a portion 62 between said cylinders or cylinder portions constituting a liquid reservoir, In the construction shown, four cylinders 61 are provided, said cylinders being arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs, and the cylinders of each pair being spaced from one another The cylinders 61 are provided with pistons 63 provided at their upper ends with longitudinally slotted ears 64, the ears of the pistons in the cylinders of each pair being connected with each other and with depending cars 65 on a plate 66 secured to the bottom of the support or platform 54 by means of transverse pivot pins 67'. The bottoms of the several cylinders 61 are provided with ports 68 controlled by inwardly opening check valves 69, and the port 68 of one cylinder of each pair is connected with the port 68 of the corresponding cylinder of the other pair by a longitudinally disposed inlet passage 7 0 formed in the casting 6'0 and having a branch passage F0 communicating with the interior of the reservoir 62. The bottoms of the two cylinders of each pair are connected by a transverse exhaust passage 71 formed in the casting 60, each of said passages 71 communicating with the interior of the reservoir 62 through a branch passage 72 controlled by a manually operated exhaust valve73.

The operation of this form of the invention substantially the same that of the form of the invention first described, as will be obvious without further explanation in detail. It will be noted, however, that, by separate operation of the exhaust valves 72. and consequentrelcase the liquid in either pair of cylinders, the machine may be caused to as sume any angular position with respect to the horizontal under the influence of gravity after it has been elevated to agreat-er or less extent from its lowermost position.

It will also be observed that, in both forms of the invention, the operation of the mechaiism to elevate the part to be raised is independent of the length of the tilting or rocking strokes imparted thereto by operating the cutter bar of the machine, so that a relatively large number of relatively short strokes, or a relatively small number of relatively long strokes may be employed to produce a given vertical movement in accordance with the strength or convenience of the operator, or the position occupied by the machine, which position may, in many instances, determine the length of the stroke permitted. f

In order to assist in steadying the machine shown in Figs. 3 to 6, and for thepurpose of supporting the'same independently of theelevating mechanism, thereby preventing the machine from settling by reason of leakage of liquid from the cylinders 61, the skid 53 is provided at opposite sides of the rear and for ward ends thereof with uprights 74 provided at their upper ends with guides 75 to receive depending legs 76 correspondingly positioned on the upper support or platform 54, said guides being provided with means, as, for example, set screws 77, for clamping said legs and thereby rigidly connecting said platform with the skid 53. The guides 7 5 and legs 76 are preferably so'constructed and arranged as to allow for relative movement thereof longitudinally of the machine, thereby permitting'said machine to be tilted in a longitudinal vertical plane without disturbing the con nections.

It will be obvious that the auxiliary supporting means last described may, if desired,

be employed to equal advantage in the form i of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in substitution for the rods or jacks 19. Also, in the form of the invention first described, the hydraulic devices or cylinders will preferably be arranged in pairs, as in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 to 6, in order to assist in steadying the machine transversely.

lVhile have herein specifically described and shown in the drawings two forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood-thatthe particular construe 'tions and arrangements described and shown have been chosen for illustrative purposes merely, and that the invention may be otherwise embodied and practiced without departng from its spirit or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

What I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is 2-' I 1." In combination, relatively movable upper and lower frame elements and adjustable connecting'meansbetween said frames comprising relatively movable parts respectively operatively connected with said upper and lower frame elements and extensible by suecessive opposite movements of the upper frame, and means includinga fluid for maintaining said parts automatically in differentrelative positions on movement thereto.

2. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, and hydraulic supporting means for the latter adjustable by successive tilting movements of the cutting mechanism and adapted to support the latter at different heights.

3. The combination with upper and lower lit) supports, of mechanism extensible by movement of one of said supports connecting said supports and comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced cylinders connected to one city said supports, pistons in said cylinders, and transverse pivots connecting said pistons with the other of said supports.

4. The combination with upper lower supports, of mechanism extensible to determine the plane of the upper support connecting said supports and con'iprismg a plurality of cylinders arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs, the cylinders of each pair being transversely spaced, and pistons in said cylinders connected to the other ot'said sup ports.

6. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible to determine the plane of the upper support connecting said supports and comprising a plurality of cylinders carried by saidlower support, said cylinders being arranged in lOIl lZ'ltllCllw nally spaced pairs and the cylinders of ch pair being transversely spaced, and pistons in said cylinders connected to said upper supper. 7. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible to determine the plane of the upper support conn ecting said supports and comprising a plurality of cylinders connected with one oi: sa d sup ports, cylinders being arranged in l ongitudinally spaced pairs and the cylinders of each pair beingtransversely spaced, pis tons in said cylinders, and a transyerse pivot connecting the pistons of each pair with the other of said supports.

8. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible to determine the plane of the upper support eoniipcting said supports and comprising a plurality of cylinders connected with one of sa d sup ports. said cylinders being i'ranged in lon; gitudinally spaced pairs and the cyluidprs oi each pair being transversely spaced, pistons in said cylinders connected to the other oi said supports, an exhaust passage leading from each of said pairs of cylinders and a valve for controlling all of said enuaust passages.

9. The combination with upper and lower supports, of supporting mechanism includ ing fluid supporting means extensible by movement of one of said supports and connecting said supports, and means for supporting said upper support from said lower support independently oi said extensible means and comprising uprights rising from said lower support and means for detaehably connecting said upper support to said up rights.

10. The combination with upper and lower supports, o'j supporting mechanism including fluid supporting means connecting said ment oi one of said supports-and connecting said supports, uprights rising from said lower support, dependin from said upper support, and clamps connecting said legs and uprights.

12. The combination with a wheeled truclr, a unitary mining machine carried thereby, and mechanism intermediate said machine and truck for supportingjthe former at different elevations relative to the latter and including extensible fluid supporting mechanism comprising elements whose elevations change on movement of the mining machine, of constantly operative driving connections between said machine and truck for propelling said truck from said machine irrespective of the vertical position of the latter.

18. The combination with a wheeled truck and a machine carried thereby, or" extensible supporting means connecting said machine and truck extended by successive opposite tilting movements of said maehineito elevate the latter bodily relative to the truck, and driving connections between said machine and truck for propelling said truck, said connections being constructed and arranged to remain continuously operative irrespective of relative movement of said inachi'ne and truck. I

l t. The combination with a wheeled truck, a frame supported thereon and providing a guideway, a mining machine slidably and swivelly supported by said guideway for lon itudinal movement and for swinging nioven'ient, and supporting means connecting said "frame and truck adjustable to permit raising and lowering oi said guideway and machine relative to the truck of driving con nections between said machine and truck for propelling the truck wheels from the machine including a shaft on said frame, a' shaft on said truck, and connections between said shafts constantly operative throughout the range of raising and lowering.

15. The combination with a wheeled truck, a unitary mining machine of a type adapt ed to out upon its bottom upon a mine bottom carried thereby, and means including a hydrauli c supportingmeans for permitting raising-and lowering of said machine, of driving connections between said machine and truck constantly operative throughout the range of said raising and lowering for propelling said truck wheels from said machine.

16. The combination with a wheeled truck, a unitary mining machine carried thereby, and manually operable oscillating means permitting raising and'lowering of said ma chine as a whole relative to said truck to permit cutting of diflerently elevated parallel kerfs, of driving connections between said machine and truck constantly operative throughout the range of said raising and lowering of said machine for propelling said truck wheels from said machine.

17. In combination, a wheeled truck, a mining machine support thereon having means for longitudinally slidably receiving a mining machine and for permitting swiveling thereof, means adjustable to permit raising and lowering of said support relative to said truck, and truck wheel driving connections connectible with a machine on said support and operative throughout the range of raising and lowering including sprockets, one on said support and one coaxial with a truck wheel, and a flexible connection between said sprockets permitting separation and approach thereof while maintaining a driving relation.

18. In combination, a wheeled truck, a

support thereon having swiveled machine supporting means thereon adapted slidably to receive a unitary mining machine, supporting means permitting raising and lowering of said support relative tothe truck, and truck wheel driving connections connectible with a machine in one position on said support and operative throughout the range oi said raising and lowering.

19. The combination with a wheeled truck, of a swiveled mining machine receiving guideway thereon, adjustable supporting means between said truck and guideway permitting varying the height of the latter relative to the truck or the angle thereof to the horizontal, and truck wheel driving connections adapted to be driven by a, machine on said guideway and operative throughoutthe range of said adjustable supporting means.

20. In combination, a wheeled truck, a support thereon adapted slidably to receive a unitary mining machine, means oscillatable to effect raising and lowering of said support bodily relative to the truck, and truck wheel driving connect-ions connectible with the machine in one position on said support and operative throughout the range of said ra1sing and lowermg. I.

21. In combination, a wheeled truck, a support thereon having machine support-ing means thereon adapted slidably to receive a supporting means disposed between said truck and said support and including elements secured to the support and truck and extensible to vary the height of the support by relative movement between the machine and truck. 7 I

23. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, and means including hydraulic supporting means and operable by movement of said cutting mechanism in a plane selectively to vary the elevation or angle in elevation of the latter. v

24. In a mining apparatus, a support, cut ting mechanism thereom'and means including hydraulic supporting means and oper-Q able by movement of the cutting mechanism in a. given plane to effect elevation of the latter and operative to support the latter at an angle to its normalposition when adjusted thereto to permit cutting of relatively inclined kerfs, I A p 25 In a mining apparatus, a support, a mining machine mounted thereon and adapted to be swiveled relative thereto, and mechanism including fluid supporting means operable by movement of the mining machine in a given plane to effect elevation of the latter.

26. The combination with spaced supports, of mechanism including fluid supporting means interposed between said supports operable by oscillating movement of one of said supports to elevate the same.

27. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon including a projecting bar, and mechanism including fluid sup porting means for said cutting mechanism manually operable'by oscillating movement of said bar to eilect elevation.

28. The combination with upper and lower supports, and a mining machine on said upper support provided with a cutter bar, of fluid supporting means connecting said sup ports extensible by pivotal movement of said cutter bar in a vertical plane and operative to support said mining machine at diflerent heights. p I

29. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, and fluid supporting means for said cutting mechanism adapted to support the latter at different heights and adjustable by pivotal movement of said cutting 'inechanism in a vertical plane, said supporting means comprising a plurality of spaced cylinders connected to said support and pistons in said cylinders connected with said cutting mechanism.

" 30. In a mining apparatus, a support, a

v mining machine thereon, and extensible fluid supports and comprising a plurality of spaced cylinders connected to one of said supports, valve controlled exhaust passages leading from said cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, and transverse pivots connecting said pistons with the other of said supports.

33. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible by movement of one of said supports connecting said supports and comprising ,a plurality of spaced cylinders connected to one of said supports, and having inwardly opening check valves, valve controlled exhaust passages leading from said cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, and transverse pivots connecting said pistons with the other of said supports.

34;. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible by movement of one of said supports connecting said supports and comprising a plurality of spaced cylinders connected to one of said supports, pistons in said cylinders, transverse pivots connecting said pistons with the other of said supports, and a liquid reservoir communicating with said cylinders.

Y 35. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible by movement of one of said supports connecting said supports, and comprising a plurality of spaced cylinders connected to one of said supports, pistons in said cylinders, transverse pivots connecting said pistons with the other of said supports, a liquid reservoir communicating with said cylinders, and inwardly opening check valves for controlling communication between said cylinders and'reservoir. r

86. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible by movement of one ofsaid supports conn cting said supports comprising a plurality of spaced cylinders connected toione of said supports, pistons in said cylinders, transverse pivots connecting said pistons to the other of said supports, a liquid reservoir, and valve controlled exhaust passages leading from said cylinders to said reservoir.

37. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible by movement of one or" said supports connecting said supports and comprising a plurality of spaced cylinders connected to one of saidsupports, pistons in said cylinc'lers, transverse pivots connecting said pistons with the other of said supports, a liquid reservoir, inlet passagesconnecting said reservoir and cylinders and having check valves opening toward said cylinders, and valve controlled exhaust passages leading from said cylinders to said reservoir.

38. The combination with upper and lower supports, of mechanism extensible by successive tilting movements of one 01 said supports in'a vertical plane and connecting said supports and comprising a plurality of spaced cylinders carried by said lower sup- .port and pistons in said cylinders connected to said upper support.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

